The Golden Bears entered this weekend's series against Benedict knowing they had multiple ways they could clinch one of the final two berths in the SIAC Baseball Championships. But the easiest way in was simply to win.
That is exactly what Miles was able to do.
After falling 14-9 in the opening game of a doubleheader, the Golden Bears (20-21, 13-18 SIAC) rebounded with a big 9-4 win over Benedict Friday afternoon at historic Rickwood Field. The win, along with two losses by Lane, secured Miles' berth in the tournament and keeps it in the No. 7 position with one regular season game remaining.
It looked as if Miles was going to get that important win in Game 1. Trailing by five, the Golden Bears scored four times in the fourth and five more times in the fifth to take a 9-7 lead.
Antwan Jackson,
Michael Smith and
Trey Walker each had two-RBI hits to tie the game at 7 before a bunt single by
Myles Wessels plated two more to put Miles ahead.
Unfortunately, the Golden Bears were unable to hold that lead. Head coach Milton Barney went with pitching ace
Jaelyn Rhynes (6-5) in relief to try and hold off the Tigers, but they scored twice in the seventh and three more times in the eight to retake the lead before adding two more against Elija Barney in the ninth to take the opener.
The Golden Bears did not wait to do damage in the second game, scoring five times in the first to take the lead for good.
Mason Lynch had a two-run double to cap the five-run outburst, then added another two-run double - just missing a home run in the process - as part of a four-run fifth that gave Miles some cushion. That was plenty for starter
Darryl Johnson (5-3), who gave up four hits and struck out five while allowing four runs (two earned) in six innings to earn the win.
Miles will close out the regular season with a Senior Day game against Benedict on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for noon with Senior Day festivities scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m.
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